Pressing implement



Oct. 16, "1928.

L. HOFFMAN PRES SING IMPLEMENT original Filed Nov. 2o. '1922 4 Sheets-Sheet l MSS L. HOFFMAN PREssING IMPLEMENT Get. 16, 1928.

original Filed Nov. 2o, 1922 4 sheetsheet 2 L. HFFMAN PRESS ING IMPLEMENT Oct. 16, 1928.

original Filed Nov. 2o, 1922 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Oct. 16, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT oFFlcE.

\-/I0UIS HQFFMAN 0F ST. PAUL, MINESOTA, ASSIGNOB TO STEAM PRESSING IRUN COMPANY, QF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION l" DELAWARE.

rnEssINe IMPLEMENT.

Application filed November 2G, 1922, Serial No. 602,085. Renewed June 7, 1928.

ment such, for example, as a. flat iron or .tailors goose, of the type provided with means for ejecting moisture in the form of steam against the goods or garment being pressed.

One of the objects of the invention is to so construct the implement that when .the moisture supplied thereto is in the form of water it will be quickly generated into steam and vaporized and ejected against the work in a. dry, high heated state. A diiculty eX- perienced heretofore with water fed steam pressing irons has been that when the iron was used continuously for a considerable period of time the generating surfaces became cooled and as a result a wet steam, or even water, was ejected from the perforations in the pressing face of the implement. My present invention insures a complete vaporization of the water by employing certain novel constructions and arrangements to be hereinafter described and claimed.

Another diiculty encountered in connection with the use of water supplied steam pressing irons arises from the tendenc of the Huid ducts and ports to become sca ed and clogged with mineral l deposits from the water. The scaling of the ducts in which the water is vaporized is likely to prevent the rapid flashing of the water into steam. y

The deposit of minral solids may go so far as to clog the fluid passages entirely. An important object of my present invention is to provide an implement with a steam generating plate upon which the water is delivered and which receives any mineral deposit that may occur when vaporization takes place. It is the -intention that the water be completely transformed into steam before it leaves this element of the implement so that no scaling can take place in the ducts and ports between the plate and the pressing face of the implement. The plate is preferably formed and arranged so that any deposit of mineral solids may be readily removed. For example, the plate is preferably channeled on its upper surface to provide an open water duct and is assembled with the other parts of the implement in such manner that it may be easily removed for cleaning. To insure the complete vaporization of the water a heating device is arranged adjacent to, preferably directly under, the plate and the fluid outlet Ay further object is `to provide means i.

whereby the steam generated as aforesaid is superheated before being directed to the perorated presslng face of the implement.

his eirpedient prevents condensation and maintains or lncreases the pressure and temperature of the steam, thereby making the o erat1on of the device more reliable and e cient.

vA further object of the invention is to providea steam-pressing iron which will be simple 1n its construction and can be inexpensively manufactured.

A further object is to provide an implement with two heating devices, one or both of'which may be used as circumstances require.

The invention consists in the new and improved constructions, arrangements and devlces to be hereinafter described and claimed for carrying out the above stated objects and such other incidental objects as will be referred to in the following description of the preferred embodiments. of the invention shown in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings,

Flg. 1 is a side view of a fiat iron or tailors goose constructed in accordance with my invention, the rear portions ofthe implement being shown in section. l

Fig. 2 is a view, in perspective. of the implement showing, diagrammatically, the circuits and switch for supplyin and controlling the heating devices with e ectric current, the implement being shown herein as an electrically heated flat iron. i

Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating positions thQe switch different from that shown in 1g.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view onA line 3-3 of Fig.

Figs. 4 and 5 are horizontal sectional views taken on the lines 4-4 and 5 5, respectively of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a view, in perspective, of the steam generating plate. u Fig. 7 is a sectional view of the valve device on line 7--7 of Fig.. 3 for controlling the supply of moistening fluid to the implement. ig. 8 is a vertical sectional elevation of a modified form of the invention, and

Figs. 9, 10 and 11 are sectional views, in

plan, taken on lines 9 9, :lo- 10, and 11441,' f

respectively, of Fig. 8.

Referring to the drawings, 10 designates a bottom plate formed with a distributing duct 11 and with erforations 12 for ej ecting mois-` ture in the fldrm of steam to the work. 13 is a top late to which are secured standards 14, 15 or the handle 16. 17 is the steam generating plate (Fig. 6) the upper surface of which is formed with a vaporizing channel or duct 18. 19 is a metal plate or element formed with a duct in which the vapor generated by flow of the water through channel 18 is superheated. This -term is used, perhaps, somewhat loosely although in the lordinary use of the implement the steam willbe raised in the duct of plate 19 to a temperature considerably above 212o Fahrenheit. In any case, however, the function of element 19 is to insure the deliveryfof steam to the perforated pressing face of the implement in dry condition without any admixture of water which might otherwise be present in the steam either because of insufficient vaporization on plate 17 or subsequent condensation in passing through the implement. The duct in element 19 is preferably formed by embedding a pipe coil 20 in the plate.` Arranged directly below the steam generating plate 17 is a heating device which is herein shown as an electric heating element 21 (althoughany other type of heating device might be employed) and, preferabl below the superheating plate 19 is another similar heating device 22. The top plate, steam generating plate, superheating plate and bottom plate are preferably held in their assembled relation by means of screws 23 which are utilized also to fasten the handle standards 14, 15 to the top plate. By this arrangement the implement is easily taken apart for the purpose of removing scaly deposits from the plate 17.

At the rear end of the .implement is arranged a valve casing 24 formed with an inlet valve chamber 25 (Fig. 7) and an elbow 26 in which is screwed a nipple 27 for the water hose 28. 29 is a valve controlling a port 30 between chamber 25 and the elbow pipe 26, valve 29 being formed with a stem 31 having a threaded engagement with a boss 32 on the valve casing. The end of stem 31 is squared for application of a wrench, as indicated at 33, and is enclosediby a tubular bonnet 34. Valve 29 will require only initial or occasional adjustment and might be dispensed with by proper design of the water inlet port. A duct. 35, 35a extends from the valve chamber 25 through valve casing 24 and the top plate 13 to one end of the steam generating channel 18 of plate 17. An inverted U-shaped duct 36, 36, 36b leads from the other end of channel 18 to the upturned terminal 37 of the superheating coil`20, this terminal projecting through an opening 38 in plate 17 A duct 3 9, 39 extends from the other upturned terble water pipe 28 regulated iii quantity by minal 40 of coil 2O to a. valve chamber 41 in casing 24. From this chamber a duct 42, 42, 42b leads to the distributing duct 11 in the bottom plate. The last named duct is adapted to be closed by a valve 43 in chamber 41, the stem 44 of which is threaded in a gland 45 screwed into a. boss 46 on casing 24, the outer smooth end 47 of the valve stempassing through a stuling box 48 in gland 45 and through a bearing 49 on the handle standard 14 and having afh'xed thereto a lever 50 provided with a thumb piece 51 arranged adjacent handle 16. Valve 43 may, therefore, be

readily opened and closed by the person using the flat iron to admit steam to the pressing face of the implement or shut steam off therefrom, as occasion requires. Chamber 41 is formedwith a vent to obviate undue pressure in the generating and superheating ducts especially when the valve 43 is closed. This ventis preferably, but not necessarily, provided with an automatically acting relief Valve constructed as follows: 52 is a valve casing screwed into a boss 53 on the top of casing 24, this casing being formed with a chamber 54 for a ball Valve 55 and with a duct 56 connecting chambers 54 v and 41. The ball valve has guide wings 57 and a stem 58, the latter passing through an opening in the top of the bonnet 59. A coiled spring 60 is interposed between the top of bonnet 59 and the wings 57 of the ball valve. The bonnet is threaded on valve casing 52 to adjust the compression of spring 60 and is formed with ports 61 for the escape of steam.

In Figs. 2 and 2a I have illustrated, diagrammatically, a sv-itch for controlling the supply of current tothe heating element-s 21, 22. The switch designated 62 comprises a revoluble member having a pair of arms 63, 64 insulated one from the other and having arcuate contact members adapted to cooperate with the fixed terminals 65, 66, 67 and 68, 69, 70. With the switch in the position shown in Fig. 2 both heating elements are active. Current rfrom supply wire 71 passes from terminal 66 through switch arm 63 to terminal 67, wire 72 to one terminal 73 of the upper heating element 21 and the other terminal 74 of the upper heating element by wire 75 to terminal 68, switch arm 64 and terminal 69 to the negative lead 7 6. At the same time current passes over wire 77, connecting terminals 65 to one of the terminals 78 of the lower heating element 22 and from the other terminal 79 of this heating element by wire 8O connected with terminal 70 to the main 76.

With the switch in the full line position in Fig. 2a connections to the upper heating element are broken. )Vith the switch shown in the dotted line position of Fig. 2a the connections to both heating elements are broken.

Operation-(Figs. 1 to 7) )Vater introduced into the implement through the flexiadjustment of valve 29 and falls u on the position of said valve throug port 42, 42,

42b through the distributing chamber in the bottom plate and thence to the work through the minute perforations 12 in the base of t ie iron. a limit on the pressure and temperature of the steam in the superheating coi120. By proper adjustment of the relief valve the possible burning of the work by use of steam at too high temperature may be avoided. Moreover, if valve 43 is closed the relief valve prevents an increase of steam pressure in the implement to a point that might be dangerous. Because of the rising connection between the generating plate and the superheating coil it is practically impossible to flood the implement with water. The delivery of dry steam to the work is insured. The location of a heating device (the heating device 21) directly below plate 17 provides for the rapid vaporization of the water delivered to the plate even if the plate be somewhat scaled. As soon as the amount of scale becomes objectionable it is an easy matter to remove plate 17 and clean it. The superheating plate 19 may be subjected to heat from above as well as below. The lower heating element 22 serves to keep the base of the implement at a sufiiciently high temperature.

A modified embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figs. 8, 9, 10 and 11. In the device shown in these figures the body of the iron consists. of a hollow member 81 and two pla-tes 82, 83 secured together and to said hollow member b-y screws 84 or other suitable fastening means. The recess 85 of the hollow member 81 is closed at the back by a door 86 formed with a gas burner 87 supplied with gas from flexible pipe 88. The steam generating duct 89 which is of sinuous configuration (Fig. 9) is formed between the plates 82, 83. Either'one of the plates may be recessed on its inner face to provide this duct, or both plates may be formed with registering recesses, as indicated in the drawing. Ready access is given to the duct for removal of scale by unscrewing the screws 84. Water enters duct 89 through the flexible water pipe 90, the nipple 91 of which is screwedl into a boss 92 in the top of the plate 83, whichis formed with a perforation 93 communicating with duct 89. The steam generated in duct 89 passes downwardly through passageway 94 formed in a boss 95 at one rear corner The adjustment of relief valve 55 sets' of the member 81 into a superheating duct 65 96 (Fig. 10) composed of a series of communi-` eating passageways formed in member 81 back and on opposite sidesof a depression or recess 97 in the lower part of said member,

the purpose of which is to bring the heat from 7 burner 87 as close as -possible to the distributing duct in the base portion 98 of the implement. The passages constituting duct 96 may be formed, for convenience in manufacture, so that the extend through the sides 75 the ends of the ducts closed of member 81 an byplugs 99. After the. steam has assed through duct 96 along the path as indicated by the ,arrows in Fig. 10, it goes -through a rising passageway 100 in a boss 100 on the S" inside of member 81 and through aligning ports 101, 102 and 103 in plates 82, 83 and valve casing 104 secured to plate 83, to a chamber 105 in the valve casing and from there through a down passageway 106, 107, 5

108, 109 to a distributing duct 110 in the base 98 of the iron which consists preferably of a pair of diagonally disposed passageways 111 converging'toward the toe of the iron connected by transverse passages 112, 113. 9"

The pressing face perforations 114 lead from the distributing duct. Communication between duct 103 and vduct 106 is controlled by a valve 115 having a stem 116 in threaded relation 117 with a bonnet 118 screwed into 95 through a stuffing box 121 on bonnet 118. 100

Any suitable means may be employed for providing a vent from chamber 105 to the atmosphere for relieving pressure in the steam generating and superheating ducts when valve 115 is closed. I have shown an 105 automatically opera-ted relief valve 122 similar in construction to the relief valve device shown in Fig. 1.

It will be observed that the steam generating, superheating and distributing ducts Aare 110 arranged so that they are all effectively heated by the flame in recess 85. The ducts are of krelatively small cross sectional area in comparison to their length which makes it possible to eiectively' convert the water 115 into steam and develop a steam pressure in the iron insuring ejection of steam through the pressing face perforations at considerable velocity and elevated temperature, thereby accomplishing the penetration of the work by the steam jets which is essential particularly with heavy fabric. The aggregate length of the ducts is considerable, the walls of the body of the implement quite thin, and

the arrangement of the ducts such that all 125 'three of the ducts are, throughout their len h, exposed to the heat produced within the ollow body of the implement. The products of combustion escape from the space 85 through a port 123 at the forward end of the iron.

Realizin that the principles of my invention could e utilized in other embodiments from that herein shown, I wish to be understood as claiming' all modifications within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In combination with a body and perforated pressing face of a pressing implement of the moistening type, means providing al duct for vaporization of the water supplied 'to the implement, means constituting a superheating duct into which said vapor passes from the vaporizing duct before going to the perforated pressing face, means for heating the fluid in said ducts, a detachable valve casing formed with passages for connecting the vaporizing duct with the superheating duct, and the superheating duct with the perforated pressing face, and a valve for controlling the flow of steam through one of said passages.

2. In combination with the body and perforated pressing face of a pressing implement of the moistening type, means providing a duct for vaporization of the water supplied to the implement, means constituting a superheating duct into which said vapor passesfrom the vaporizing duct before going to the perforated pressing face, and separate heating ldevices located under said ducts, respectively.

3. In combination with the body and perforated pressing face of a pressing implement of the moistening type, means provlding a duct Vfor vaporization of the Water supplied to the implement, means constituting a superheating duct, means for heating the fluid in said ducts, said ducts and the heating means extending substantially parallel with the pressing face, and a detachable valve casing adapted to be attached to the upper part of the body and formed with substantially vertically extending passages for connecting the vaporizing duct with the superheating duct, and the superheating duct with the perforated pressing face.

4. In combination with the body and perfoi-ated pressing face of a pressing implement of the moistening type, means providing a duct for vaporization of the water supplied to the implement, means constituting a superheating duct, separate heating devices located.` under said ducts, respectively, said ducts and heating means extending substantially parallel with the pressing face, and a valve casing on the upper portion of the body formed with substantially vertically extending passages for connecting the vaporizing ducts with the superheating duct, and the superheating duct with the perforated pressing face. Y

5. In combination with the body and perforated pressing face of a pressing implement of the moistening type, means proviclin a duct for vaporization of the Water suppIied to the implement, means constituting a superheatmg duct connected with the vaporizing duct' by an upwardly extending passage, means for heating the fluid in said ducts, means providing a duct having an upwardly extending portion for delivering the superheated steam to the pressing face of the implement, and means allowing discharge of steam to the atmosphere from the superheating duct without forations of the pressing face.

6. In combination with the body and perforated pressing face of a pressing implement of the moistening type, means providing a duct for vaporization of the water supplied to the implement, means constituting a superheating duct connected with the vaporizing duct and with the perforated pressing face by upwardly extending passages, a valve to control the fiow of superheated steam to the pressing face, a valve to allow discharge of steam to t-he atmosphere from the superheating duct without passing through the perforations of the pressing face, and separate heating devices located under said ducts, respectively.

7. In combination with the body and perforated pressing face of a pressing implement of the moistening type, a plate arranged within said body, means for delivering water to the top of the plate, means providing a superheating duct located below said plate to receive ,vapor therefrom, heating devices located under said plate and duct, distributing means for conducting the superheated steam to the pressing face, and means for controlling the flow of steam from the superheating duct to the distributing means.

8. In combination with the body and perforated pressing face of a pressing implement of the moistening type, a plate removably arranged in said body, a heating device located directly under said plate, and means for delivering water to the upper surface of the plate.

9. In a steam pressing iron, the combination of a bottom plate formed with a distributing duct and perforations leading therefrom to the pressing surface of the implement, a top plate, a plate arranged under the top plate, means for introducing moistening fluid on said last named plate, a heating device loca-ted adjacent said last named plate, and means for holding said plates together in assembled relation.

10. In a steam pressing iron, the combination of a bottom plate formed with a distributing duct and perforations leading therefrom to the pressing surface of the implement, a top plate, a plate the upper surface of which is formed with a channel and which is arranged under the top plate, means for introducing moistening fluid into said chanpassing through the perlll) nel, a heating device located directly under said channeled plate, and means for holding said plates together in assembled relation'.

11. In a steam pressing iron, the combination of a bottom plate formed with a distributing duct and perforations leading therefrom to the pressing surface of the implement, a top plate, a plate the upper surface of which is formed with a channel and which is arranged under the top plate, means for introducing moistening fluid into said channel, a plate arranged under said channeled plate having a pipe coil therein connected with said channel and With the duct in the bottom plate, and means for heating said implement.

12. In a steampressing iron, the combina-- tion of a bottom plate formed with a distributing duct and perforations leading therefrom to the pressing surface of the implement, a top plate, a plate the upper surface of Which is formed with a channel-and which is arranged under the top plate, means for introduclng moistening uid into said channel, a plate arranged under said channeled plate having a pipe coil therein connected with said channel and With the duct in the bottom plate, and heating devices arranged directly under the channeled plate and under the plate formed with the coil, respectively.

13. In combination with the body and perforated pressing face of. a pressing implement of the moistening type, an element formed with a channel 1n its upper surface and arranged removably in the body of the implement, a heating device under said element, means for introducing water into said channel, and means for conducting steam generated in said channel to the perforated pressing face of the implement.

14. In a pressing implement of the moistening type adapted to be supplied with water for generation into steam and ejection as such against the work, the combination of a body formed with a perforated pressing face, a 1 steam generating duct to receive the water these passages. 15. In a pressing implement of the meistenlng type adapted to be supplied with Water for generatlon into steam and ejection as such against the Work, the combination of a. body formed with a perforated pressing face, a steam generating duct to receive the water supplied to the implement, a superheating duct and a distributing duct from Which lead the perforations of the pressing face, all of which ducts extend substantially parallel With the pressing face and are of small transverse sectional area in comparison with their longitudinal sectional area, and means for heating the fluid in said ducts.

LOUIS HOFFMAN.

.trolling the liow of steam through one of i 

